head gasket blown? Take out engine?

[davakos]

I have a 91 lincoln TC. One day, no apparent reason, the water was gone...the temp gauge indicated HOT. Flushed and filled coolant system.
Next day, the oil gauge came on. Checking oil, it was about three times higher than full. Okay, now I know where the water went. Sent to shop for a head gasket check/repair. The shop had to pull the engine to get the heads off? Is this a necessary procedure? Ask to have the belt tensioner replaced while apart. I knew tensioner was bad. Was told that year requires a modification bracket, belt tensioner could not be replaced as installed on original, without the modification. Does that sound correct?
Please help with info...thanks.